Mexico hails capture of top drug lord 'Shorty' Guzman

Feb. 23 - Mexico captures Joaquin ''Shorty'' Guzman, the world's most wanted drugs lord in beach city of Mazatlan with the help of U.S. officials. Sarah Toms reports.

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The first public glimpse in years of Mexico's most wanted drug baron -- Joaquin Guzman -- known as El Chapo or "Shorty".
Guzman was taken to Mexico City and paraded before the media on live TV.
Then, surrounded by heavily armed troops he boards a helicopter bound for prison.
He is the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, which smuggles huge amounts of illegal drugs into the United States.
The U.S. was offering a reward of up to five million dollars for information leading to his arrest.
Drugs experts say his capture is a major coup for the Mexican government.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DRUGS EXPERT, FRED ALVAREZ, SAYING:
"It's a milestone, it's a hit, the hardest hit that President Enrique Pena Nieto has had. It's not Michoacan, it's not the reforms which have taken place. It's the capture of the world's number one criminal. Surely a film, like the United States did for the capture of Osama Bin Laden, will be made of the capture of Joaquin Guzman, alias "El Chapo."
Guzman was arrested at this hotel in Sinaloa state, in a joint operation with the US.
Police say they nearly caught him here at his ex-wife's house but he gave them the slip.
Instead, marines seized drugs, communications equipment and arms.
"Shorty" had been on the run since escaping a high-security prison in a laundry basket in 2001.
This time the authorities weren't taking any risks.... the 1.7 metre Guzman returned to a life behind bars with three helicopters escorting him.

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